Kerala Blasters FC salvaged a late 1-1 draw against East Bengal FC in Match 31 of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2025-26 season at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Saturday.
Muhammad Ajsal scored a stoppage-time equaliser to earn Kerala Blasters their first point of the season after Youssef Ezzejjari had given the hosts an early lead from the penalty spot. Ajsal was later named Player of the Match.
East Bengal head coach Óscar Bruzón made notable changes to his starting line-up, bringing skipper Saúl Crespo and PV Vishnu into the first eleven. Kerala Blasters head coach David Català also reshuffled his side, introducing Sandeep Singh, Danish Farooq, Fallou Ndiaye and Ebindas Yesudasan in place of Bikash Yumnam, Nihal Sudeesh, Víctor Bertomeu and Matías Hernández.
Kerala Blasters began the match on the front foot, applying early pressure on the East Bengal defence. However, the hosts took the lead in the 10th minute against the run of play.
Edmund Lalrindika collected the ball inside the box and squared it to Ezzejjari, who was brought down by Aibanbha Dohling. The referee awarded a penalty and Ezzejjari calmly converted the spot-kick to give East Bengal a 1-0 advantage.
Despite falling behind, Kerala Blasters maintained an attacking approach and continued to test the Red and Gold defence for the remainder of the first half.
East Bengal pushed for a second goal after the break, but the Blasters defence managed to contain the attacking duo of Ezzejjari and Miguel Ferreira for most of the second half.
The home side came close to doubling their lead through a well-worked corner routine, but Basim Rashid’s first-time effort narrowly missed the target.
As the match entered its final stages, East Bengal attempted to protect their slim lead. However, their defensive lapse deep into stoppage time proved costly.
In the 92nd minute, the hosts failed to clear a corner, allowing Ajsal to rise unmarked and head the ball past goalkeeper Prabhsukhan Gill to secure a dramatic equaliser for Kerala Blasters.
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